Could Utley playing third base really work?

Ten years after the last time he played third base, Chase Utley confirmed that he took ground balls there early Wednesday afternoon.

Utley played 123 games at third base for the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons in 2002. The experiment, though, did not go well. Utley made 28 errors in 340 chances, giving him a .918 fielding percentage. Most of the errors were throwing errors;he had accuracy issues moreso than strength issues.

With the Phillies likely in need of a third baseman for 2013 --- it seems unlikely the club will pick up Placido Polanco’s mutual option next season --- and a talented second baseman in Freddy Galvis, Utley figured he’d give it a shot. He approached GM Ruben Amaro Jr. and asked if he could take a stab at it.

“It's way too early to have an opinion either way on how it goes,” Utley said. “I might take some more ground balls there in the future, but who knows what the future has in store, but I think if I'm able to play over there, it creates more flexibility as far as the organization is concerned.”

Utley’s only experience at third base came in that 2002 season. The previous year he had played second base for Single-A Clearwater and then made the jump to Triple-A. After spending a season trying to make the adjustment, the organization moved him back to second base.

But a decade later, Utley is a more confident, and complete player, something he thinks will be advantageous if he choose to pursue this.

“I think 10 years of experience can only help you on the baseball field,” he said.

The last thing, though, Utley wanted was for word to get out. But it did, and fast.

“I didn't anticipate really talking about it today,” he admitted. “I tried to do it early enough so I could stay under radar, but that didn't go so well. It was something I wanted to do and I might pursue it a little more. At this point, I don't think I have an opinion either way on how it's going to go.”

Amaro didn’t rule out having Utley play in a game at third base this year, but I wouldn’t count on it. It didn’t sound like it was something he thought had to be done. But Amaro did say he thought playing third base would be easier on Utley’s troubled knees.

Combine that with the fact that he’s been impressed with Galvis at second base and the limited number of third baseman on the up-and-coming free agent market, and it made Amaro think seeing Utley take grounders at third base wasn’t a bad idea.

The biggest question, though, is will Amaro and Co. see enough from good from Utley at third base to convince them they don’t have to go out and pursue a third baseman in the offseason?

“If we think that Chase is a viable option … it depends on how comfortable he feels,” Amaro said. “It’s kind of a big deal to all of a sudden ask a guy after 20 years of playing the position to move over there. Really, he posed the question and we’re not closing any doors on the possibility.

“With him, Chase is kind of a different animal. If Chase tells me and proclaims himself ready to do something, unless he can’t prove it you have to kind of believe him. Of course it’s a risk. But it also may be a great option. It doesn’t cost us anything to have it be an option for us or at least explore it.”

Recent Comments

No way, he has 1 year left on his contract, keep him at 2nd.If anything, Galvis can play 3rd for a year, assuming the Phils don't re-sign Utley after 2013 which depends on his health.Utley just doesn't have the arm for 3rd.Besides,give me one good reasom Frandsen shouldn't be the 3rd baseman for 2013. Hitting? check, glove? check, arm? check.Granted, no power but the Phils are paying other guys for that. Any power hitting outfielders available in the off-season free agent market (besides Hamilton)? And if it was me, I'd trade Dom Brown if he has any value. He just looks too clumsy in the outfield and his hands get too far from his body when he swings the bat, making for a very long swing.